×

System and method for generating effective layout constraints for a circuit design or the like

  • US 6,058,252 A
  • Filed: 08/13/1997
  • Issued: 05/02/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/19/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A digital computer system for processing a netlist to generate circuit layout constraints for use by an identified target circuit placement and signal routing tool, the system including a computer having storage means and execution means, the system comprising:

  • means for storing a netlist data structure in said storage means, said netlist data structure representing a circuit configuration having a plurality of circuit elements and said netlist data structure representing static timing information for said circuit configuration;

    means for selecting specified circuit elements to be used for generating said layout constraints, said means for selecting operating in such manner as to select fewer than all of the plurality of circuit elements of the circuit configuration;

    means for identifying a most critical path through each of said specified circuit elements based upon said static timing information represented in said netlist data structure; and

    means for generating circuit layout constraints from the most critical path through each of said specified circuit elements, wherein said generated layout constraints include at least one constraint involving circuit placement or signal routing, wherein said generating means including means for extracting and formatting irredundant layout constraints for use by an identified target circuit placement and signal routine tool,whereby at least one such circuit layout constraint is generated covering each of said specified circuit elements.

View all claims
  • 0 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×